Tonga held on to defeat the USA in a tough, very physical encounter Saturday in San Sebastian, Spain.

The Eagles played much better than they have in their previous two games, and  were unlucky to have two late tries called back. Tonga took an early lead off a scrum move that put fullback Telusa Veainu through. Will Holder kicked a penalty, but then Jack Ram peeled off the back of a maul and raced off for about 40 meters before offloading to wing Fetu'u Vainikolo, who did the rest. After 23 minutes it was 14-3 Tonga.

Slowly the Eagles started to take better control of their destiny. Tonga had a try called back due to a penalty, and then late in the first half sustained pressure from the Americans put Martin Iosefo over.

So it was 14-10 at halftime. Tonga nudged ahead with a penalty, but then a nice piece of skill from Madison Hughes got the Eagles in the Tonga 22, and Joseph Taufete'e stretched over the line to make it 17-17.

Tonga got another penalty, but really the game was won because twice USA tries were called back - one for a for forward pass and one for accidental obstruction. 

USA 17
Tries: Iosefo, Taufete'e
Convs: Holder 2
Pens: Holder

Tonga 20
Tries: Veainu, Vainikolo 
Convs: Takulua 2 
Pens: Takulua 2 

USA | v. Tonga 
1. Joe Taufete'e 
2. James Hilterbrand 
3. Chris Baumann 
4. Cameron Dolan 
5. Nick Civetta 
6. Samu Manoa 
7. Tony Lamborn 
8. Andrew Durutalo 
9. Nate Augspurger 
10. Will Holder 
11. Martin Iosefo 
12. Marcel Brache 
13. Thretton Palamo 
14. Blaine Scully(C) 
15. Madison Hughes

Men's Eagles | Reserves 
16. Pat Blair 
17. Angus MacLellan 
18. Dino Waldren 
19. Al McFarland 
20. Langilangi Haupeakui 
21. Mike Te'o 
22. JP Eloff 
23. Bryce Campbell

Tonga | v. USA 
1. Tevita Mailau 
2. Paula Ngauamo 
3. Siua Halanukonuka 
4. Steve Mafi 
5. Joe Tu'ineau 
6. Dan Faleafa 
7. Jack Ram 
8. Tevita Koloamatangi 
9. Sonatane Takulua 
10. Kali Hala 
11. Fetu'u Vainikolo 
12. Latiume Fosita 
13. Siale Piutau (C) 
14. Nafi Tu'itavake 
15. Telusa Veainu

Tonga | Reserves 
16. Elvis Taione 
17. Paea Fa'anunu 
18. Sila Puafisi 
19. Valentino Mapapalangi 
20. Kotoni Ale 
21. Tomasi Palu 
22. Tevita Taufui 
23. David Halaifonua